Ryan David Brasier Bio
Ryan David Brasier is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Angels, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Chicago Cubs, and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp. Listed at 6 feet 0 inches (1.83 m) and 225 pounds (102 kg), Brasier both throws and bats right-handed. He won the World Series with the Boston Red Sox in 2018 and with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024, making him a two-time champion.
Early Life and Background
Ryan David Brasier was born on August 26, 1987. He grew up in Texas and attended S. H. Rider High School in Wichita Falls, where he played baseball for the school team. Interestingly, Brasier served as a catcher during his high school career because the team already had other talented pitchers on the roster, including Chase Anderson, who would also go on to play professionally.
After graduating from high school, Brasier enrolled at Weatherford College in Weatherford, Texas, where he played college baseball during the 2006-2007 season. His time at Weatherford College helped develop the skills that would eventually launch his professional baseball career.
Path to Professional Baseball
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim selected Brasier in the sixth round of the 2007 Major League Baseball draft. From 2007 through 2013, he pitched for various minor league affiliates within the Angels organization, starting with the Rookie League Orem Owlz and progressing through the system to reach the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees.
His development continued with a standout season at Triple-A Salt Lake in 2012, where Brasier made a career-high 55 relief appearances. He recorded 13 saves along with a 7-3 record, 54 strikeouts, and 24 walks in 59 and two-thirds innings pitched. This strong performance positioned him for his major league debut the following year.
Ryan David Brasier Career
Los Angeles Angels (2013)
The Angels promoted Brasier to the major leagues for the first time on May 1, 2013. He made his MLB debut the following day, pitching one inning of relief against the Baltimore Orioles and allowing two runs on two hits. His first MLB strikeout came against Ryan Flaherty. After making one additional appearance in May, he returned to the minors and was recalled in September when major league rosters expanded. Overall with the 2013 Angels, Brasier made seven appearances, striking out seven and walking four in nine innings pitched with a 2.00 ERA.
Brasier missed the entire 2014 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. The Angels outrighted him off their 40-man roster on October 28, 2014, marking a difficult period in his career development.
Minor Leagues and Japan (2015-2017)
On July 7, 2015, Brasier signed a minor league deal with the Oakland Athletics and spent the 2015 season rehabbing from surgery, appearing in only six minor league games. In 2016, he made 46 relief appearances with the Triple-A Nashville Sounds, recording a 3.56 ERA in 60 and two-thirds innings pitched.
For the 2017 season, Brasier received an invitation to major league spring training with the Athletics but chose to pursue better opportunities overseas. He agreed to have his contract sold to the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Nippon Professional Baseball on December 14, 2016. With the Carp, he made 26 relief appearances, striking out 19 batters while walking eight and posting a 3.00 ERA in 30 innings of work. Brasier later credited his time in Japan with helping him improve his pitching mechanics.
Boston Red Sox Breakthrough (2018-2023)
Brasier staged a showcase for major league teams in January 2018, hoping to sign a contract before spring training began. When no takers emerged, he signed a minor league deal with the Boston Red Sox on March 4, 2018. He was assigned to the Pawtucket Red Sox of Triple-A, where he pitched in 46 games with a 3.71 ERA and 70 strikeouts, earning selection to the Triple-A All-Star Game.
The Red Sox promoted Brasier to the majors on July 8, 2018, and he made his Boston debut the following day against the Texas Rangers, retiring the side in order in one inning pitched. On August 30, he recorded his first MLB win, pitching an inning of scoreless relief in a come-from-behind victory over the Chicago White Sox. He proved to be a consistent reliever down the stretch, finishing with a 1.60 ERA in 34 appearances and earning the Red Sox’s Lou Gorman Award. Brasier was included on Boston’s postseason roster, making nine appearances and allowing one earned run in 8 and two-thirds innings as the Red Sox won the World Series.
Brasier earned a spot on Boston’s Opening Day roster for the 2019 season. On April 3, he recorded his first major league save in a win over the Oakland Athletics. Overall with the 2019 Red Sox, he appeared in 62 games, compiling a 2-4 record with seven saves and a 4.85 ERA while striking out 61 batters in 55 and two-thirds innings.
During the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season, Brasier appeared in 25 games with a 1-0 record, a 3.96 ERA, and 30 strikeouts in 25 innings pitched. In 2021, he was placed on the 60-day injured list with a calf injury on May 3, and while rehabbing on June 3, he was hospitalized after being hit in the head by a line drive during a simulated game in Fort Myers, Florida. He returned to the Red Sox on September 1 and made 13 appearances with a 1.50 ERA and 1-1 record that season, also contributing seven relief appearances during the postseason as Boston advanced to the American League Championship Series.
In 2022, Brasier made 68 relief appearances with Boston, posting an 0-3 record with a 5.78 ERA and one save while striking out 64 batters in 62 and one-third innings. He struggled in 2023, working to a 7.29 ERA with 18 strikeouts in 20 relief appearances before the Red Sox designated him for assignment on May 14, 2023. He was released on May 21.
Los Angeles Dodgers (2023-2024)
On June 5, 2023, Brasier signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. After making two scoreless appearances for Triple-A Oklahoma City, he was selected to the major league roster on June 20. In the majors, he pitched 38 and two-thirds innings over 39 games with an extraordinary 0.70 ERA. He also allowed one run in 2 and one-third innings during the 2023 National League Division Series.
The Dodgers re-signed Brasier to a two-year, $9 million contract on February 8, 2024. He posted a 4.63 ERA in 12 games before being placed on the injured list with a right calf strain on April 29. He was transferred to the 60-day injured list on June 13 and activated on August 17. Overall in 2024, he appeared in 29 games with a 3.54 ERA in 28 innings. During the postseason, Brasier contributed to the Dodgers’ championship run, allowing two runs in the NLDS, two runs in the NLCS, and one run in the World Series as Los Angeles won the title.
Chicago Cubs (2025)
On January 30, 2025, the Dodgers designated Brasier for assignment. On February 4, 2025, the Dodgers traded him to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for a player to be named later or cash. Brasier made 28 appearances including one start for the Cubs, compiling an 0-1 record and 4.50 ERA with 20 strikeouts over 26 innings of work. Following the 2025 season, he became a free agent.
Career Statistics
Through the 2025 season, Brasier has compiled a 10-9 win-loss record with a 3.90 ERA and 301 strikeouts across his MLB career. In Nippon Professional Baseball with Hiroshima Toyo Carp, he posted a 2-1 record with a 3.00 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 30 innings.
Ryan David Brasier Career Highlights
Brasier’s career has been defined by his resilience and ability to bounce back from adversity, including Tommy John surgery that cost him the 2014 season. His journey from minor league journeyman to World Series champion with two different teams represents a remarkable career arc.
His most decorated season came in 2018 with Boston, where his 1.60 ERA in 34 appearances helped anchor the Red Sox bullpen during their championship run. He followed that with consistent appearances through 2022 before his late-career resurgence with the Dodgers, where his 0.70 ERA in 2023 helped secure another championship.
Notable Achievements
Two-time World Series champion (2018 with Boston Red Sox, 2024 with Los Angeles Dodgers). Lou Gorman Award recipient (2018). Triple-A All-Star selection (2018). Career MLB record of 10-9 with 3.90 ERA and 301 strikeouts across 10+ seasons of professional baseball.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked Brasier’s transition to the Chicago Cubs after being traded from the Los Angeles Dodgers in February. Despite the mid-winter trade, he carved out a significant role in Chicago’s bullpen, appearing in 28 games including one start. His 4.50 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 26 innings demonstrated he remained an effective major league reliever capable of handling high-leverage situations.
The Cubs utilized Brasier primarily in relief, where his experience and championship pedigree provided stability to their pitching staff. While his record reflected the challenges of pitching for a team in transition, his peripheral numbers suggested continued viability as a professional pitcher. Following the conclusion of the 2025 campaign, Brasier entered free agency seeking his next opportunity.